Today’s ecology practical was one of those sessions where a topic that seemed purely theoretical suddenly became much more interesting when I saw how it can actually be studied.
I learned about the biotic and abiotic components of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and how living organisms interact with factors such as light, temperature, water, soil and other environmental conditions.
What I found particularly interesting was the study of plant communities. Using the species-area curve helped me understand how the number of species can change with the area we study.
We also learned the quadrat method, where plant communities can be studied by calculating:
- Frequency – how often a species occurs
- Density – the number of individuals present
- Abundance – the number of individuals in the areas where the species occurs
- Importance Value Index (IVI) – an indicator of the overall importance of a species within a community
Comparing protected and disturbed areas made the practical even more meaningful. It showed me that human disturbance can influence the composition and distribution of plant communities.
What I liked most was realizing that ecology is not just about memorizing ecosystems from a textbook. We can actually measure and interpret what is happening in nature.
As a Biotechnology student, I found this interesting because it reminded me that understanding biology also means understanding the environment in which life exists.
Sometimes, one practical is enough to make a familiar topic feel completely new.
MBH/PS